UON unveils inaugural pro VC for Indigenous education and research

The University of Newcastle has appointed its first pro vice-chancellor for Indigenous education and research. Professor Steve Larkin is the inaugural holder of this cross-institutional leadership role. Larkin's responsibilities will include championing and promoting Indigenous education and research and to oversee UON's Wollotuka Institute, the operational body for all Indigenous activities and affairs at the university. Larkin is a member of the Kungarakan and Yanyula nations and formerly the pro vice-chancellor for Indigenous leadership at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory. “We have a proud legacy of more than 30 years of commitment … by the university and Wollotuka to equity and excellence," said UON vice-chancellor professor Caroline McMillen. "Under the outstanding leadership of professor Larkin, this legacy will continue to go from strength to strength. “UON is a proud supporter of Indigenous education and research, with the largest number of Indigenous students of any Australian university. The university also recently celebrated the remarkable success of Wollotuka’s accreditation by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium – an Australian first." Larkin said: “I am thrilled to be joining the leading university in Australian Indigenous higher education and look forward to the next stage of growth and progression. “I am keen to continue strengthening the pipeline for Indigenous students to carry out their journey from high school to university, and look forward to further developing UON’s ties with the broader community, as well as its international presence.”